Watch for invasive weeds this season as you scout your wheat crops. Kochia is a drought-tolerant, bushy-branched annual weed. It can be mistaken for mugwort or common lambsquarters. One plant can produce up to 16,000 seeds, and the weed can cause up to 60% yield reduction if not controlled early. Due to an increasing prevalence of herbicide-resistant kochia, herbicides with season-long residual and multiple modes of action are recommended

According to Colorado State University extension, the first step to controlling Kochia is to limit the current weed’s seed production and distribution by minimizing disruptions, such as walking through the field. If possible, light tillage is recommended to remove the shallow-rooted plant. Otherwise, consider a herbicide to treat your fields. Control from herbicides is best when applied to plants between 2 and 6” rather than on seedlings with minimal leaf surface area.

To combat kochia, consider Talinor®, a post-emergence herbicide developed by combining 2active ingredients (bicyclopyrone and bromoxynil) with 2 different modes of action (Group 27 and Group 6) for effective control and crop safety. Axial Star® also combines proven, industry-leading mixed-grass control with a leader in kochia control in 1 convenient product at a single use rate.

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